Artwork

Fructidor

Fructidor, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1956
Fructidor, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1956

Fructidor is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1956 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Fructidor is a fashion sketch created around 1956 by Marie-Louise Carven, a French designer known for her work with lightweight fabrics and petite women's clothing.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch depicts a woman wearing a long, dark coat with a lighter skirt and a hat, walking with one hand in her pocket. The drawing is likely a quick study, as indicated by its loose but confident lines and rapid brushstrokes.

Technique & Style

The sketch features quick brushstrokes for shading, giving it a spontaneous feel. The lines are confident, suggesting a sense of immediacy in the work's creation.

History & Provenance

Fructidor is part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection. Marie-Louise Carven founded the fashion house Carven in 1945 and was among the first Parisian couturiers to introduce a prêt-à-porter line.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marie-Louise Carven

Artist

Marie-Louise Carven

Marie-Louise Carven (31 August 1909 – 8 June 2015), born Carmen de Tommaso, was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Carven in 1945.